Festive Noodles (Janchi Guksu): A Delicious Celebration
Festive Noodles (Janchi Guksu): A Delicious Celebration
Always Delicious ‘Festive Noodles’ for a Joyful Meal
Janchi Guksu is our family’s unanimous choice for a special dinner menu – it’s always a hit! The rich broth combined with an array of toppings creates a wonderfully satisfying flavor profile. This recipe offers a heartwarming way to prepare these beloved noodles.
Rich Broth Ingredients- 1 handful anchovies for broth (heads and guts removed)
- 1 handful dried shrimp heads (for umami boost!)
- 3 dried shiitake mushrooms (for fragrant depth)
- 1 onion (using the skin adds lovely color to the broth)
- 4 leek roots and white parts (key to a clean broth taste)
- 1 sheet dried kelp (10cm x 15cm) (remove as soon as the water boils)
- 4 large bowls water (approx. 800ml, enough for serving noodles)
- Salt to taste (for final seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (adds deep flavor)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy sauce) (enhances savoriness)
Chewy Noodles & Abundant Toppings- 3 handfuls somen noodles (about 100g per person, measured by holding thumb and index finger together)
- 4 eggs (whites and yolks separated for omelets)
- 1/2 zucchini (julienned thinly)
- 2 Korean green chili peppers (optional, for heat; seeds removed and minced)
- 2 red chili peppers (for color; seeds removed and minced)
- A little toasted seaweed (for crispy texture and flavor boost!)
Spicy & Sweet Seasoning Sauce Ingredients- 6 spring onions (finely chopped)
- Soy sauce for soup
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (to taste)
- Sugar (to taste)
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sesame oil
- 3 handfuls somen noodles (about 100g per person, measured by holding thumb and index finger together)
- 4 eggs (whites and yolks separated for omelets)
- 1/2 zucchini (julienned thinly)
- 2 Korean green chili peppers (optional, for heat; seeds removed and minced)
- 2 red chili peppers (for color; seeds removed and minced)
- A little toasted seaweed (for crispy texture and flavor boost!)
Spicy & Sweet Seasoning Sauce Ingredients- 6 spring onions (finely chopped)
- Soy sauce for soup
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (to taste)
- Sugar (to taste)
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s make a rich and deep broth! In a pot, combine the anchovies, dried shrimp heads, dried shiitake mushrooms, onion, and leek roots and white parts. Add 4 large bowls of water. Bring to a boil over high heat for 10 minutes. Once boiling, remove the kelp immediately. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for another 10 minutes. This method ensures the kelp’s bitterness doesn’t infuse, while the shiitake mushrooms lend their lovely aroma. Set the shiitake mushrooms aside to use as a topping.
Step 2
Strain the cooked broth through a fine-mesh sieve to obtain a clear, clean broth. Season it gradually with soy sauce for soup and fish sauce (anchovy sauce) to your liking. You can also use salt for the final seasoning. Keep the broth warm.
Step 3
Time to prepare the topping: egg omelets! Separate the 4 eggs into whites and yolks. Make thin omelets from each, let them cool slightly, then julienne them finely. These colorful strips will make the festive noodles look even more appetizing.
Step 4
Julienne the zucchini thinly. Heat about 1/2 tablespoon of perilla oil in a pan and sauté the zucchini until tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking to maintain a pleasant texture. Season lightly with salted shrimp (saeujeot) for an enhanced flavor.
Step 5
Let’s make a simple yet delicious seasoning sauce! Finely chop the 6 spring onions and place them in a bowl. Add enough soy sauce for soup to coat them. Mix in gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to your desired spice level, a pinch of sugar, toasted sesame seeds, and a drizzle of sesame oil. If you like it spicier, consider adding minced garlic or minced green chili peppers.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to cook the noodles. Add the somen noodles to a large pot of boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes. Immediately rinse the cooked noodles under cold water to remove excess starch, then drain thoroughly in a colander. Gently loosen the noodles to prevent clumping. Coil them attractively in serving bowls as desired.
Step 7
Carefully ladle the warm broth over the noodles in the bowls, ensuring they are well-covered.
Step 8
Arrange the prepared colorful toppings – the julienned egg omelets, sautéed zucchini, and optionally, the toasted seaweed – artfully over the noodles. These carefully placed toppings will make your festive noodles a feast for the eyes and the palate.
Step 9
Finally, add the minced green chili peppers for extra heat if you like, and serve with the prepared seasoning sauce. Now, mix in the delicious sauce and slurp away! Enjoy the harmonious blend of warm, deep broth and abundant toppings in these festive noodles – a dish that’s always a delight. Enjoy your meal!
